New report provides cast iron case for protecting basking sharks in the West of Scotland

By:
Richard Harrington
Date posted:
4 July 2014

New report provides cast iron case for protecting basking sharks in the West of Scotland MCS welcomes evidence that shows a Marine Protected Area is merited to protect these gentle giants The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) says that the case for setting up a basking shark Marine Protected Area in West Scotland waters is now cast iron, following shark tagging research which shows how important the area is for this species.

New report provides cast iron case for protecting basking sharks in the West of Scotland MCS welcomes evidence that shows a Marine Protected Area is merited to protect these gentle giants The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) says that the case for setting up a basking shark Marine Protected Area in West Scotland waters is now cast iron, following shark tagging research which shows how important the area is for this species. The Marine Conservation Society’s Calum Duncan says: “Our basking shark watch reporting scheme, the biggest of its kind in the world, along with effort-based surveys, already strongly indicated that the waters around Coll, Tiree and Hyskeir were basking shark hotspots. The exciting results from these tagging studies confirm just how important these waters are, with sharks returning every year, and possibly even breeding here. Ø “These gentle giants are just one of many species and habitats that should receive protection as part of the emerging Marine Protected Area network around Scotland’s seas”, Calum continues. “For too long, people have looked abroad for exciting life to enjoy and protect, when all along we have had world-class but threatened wonders right under our nose. If well-managed, new marine protected areas can help basking sharks and all our marine wildlife thrive now and into the future. Ø The report can be viewed on the SNH website.